Desert Hot Springs · Foreclosure & auctions

Foreclosure and auctions in Desert Hot Springs

Desert Hot Springs requires the owner of any vacant building to register it within 10 days of vacancy, and an out-of-area owner must hire a property management company with a City business license. Foreclosure timelines and auction rules come from state law.

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Key points

Registration: The owner of any vacant building must register it within 10 days of the building becoming vacant or being deemed vacant by the City.
Annual fee: An annual fee set by City Council resolution goes with the registration form; later registrations are due January 1st and received by January 31st.
Local manager: An out-of-area owner, trustee or beneficiary must hire a property management company that holds a City business license.
Penalty: Failing to maintain and secure abandoned property or a vacant building can bring up to $1,000 per day.
State timeline: State law: notice of sale comes at least 3 months after notice of default is recorded and at least 20 days before the sale.
State sale window: Under state law, a 1–4 unit trustee's sale is not final for 15 days; eligible bidders who give notice may bid within 45 days.

Each rule below is marked Desert Hot Springs code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

Registering vacant and foreclosed homes

Desert Hot Springs code What Desert Hot Springs's code adds
Local contact	Yes. An out-of-area owner, beneficiary or trustee must hire a property management company that holds a City business license. Applies: Applies to an out-of-area owner, trustee or beneficiary. § 8.40.030 · code text An out-of-area owner, beneficiary, or trustee shall retain a property management company, which shall inspect the property as required by this chapter to determine whether the abandoned or distressed property is in compliance with the requirements of this chapter. The property management company shall maintain a business license with the City. A property management company responsible for security, maintenance and marketing of the property. Applies: Applies to a corporation or out-of-area owner, beneficiary or trustee. § 8.40.030 · code text in the case of a corporation or out-of-area owner or beneficiary/trustee, the property management company responsible for the security, maintenance and marketing of the property.
Upkeep duties	No evidence of vacancy; no weeds, dry brush, dead vegetation, trash, junk, debris, excessive foliage growth, standing-water mosquito larvae, building materials or discarded items; graffiti removed or painted over; landscaping maintained; pools and spas kept clear and pollutant-free or drained and dry; openings secured or boarded Applies: owner of improved property subject to the chapter, including all vacant buildings § 8.40.040 · code text Properties subject to this chapter shall be maintained as follows: Secure the property to keep out trespassers, squatters and unauthorized persons. Applies: Applies to abandoned property. § 8.40.050 · code text Any abandoned property shall be secured, as defined in this chapter. In addition, the abandoned property shall be secured in a manner that would prevent trespassers, squatters or unauthorized persons from entering and/or remaining on the property.
Penalty	Up to $1,000 per day. Applies: For failing to maintain and secure abandoned property or a vacant building. Action must start within at least 14 days, finish within at least 30 days after notice mailed. § 8.40.100 · code text The City of Desert Hot Springs, may impose a civil penalty in the amount not to exceed $1,000 per day for failure to maintain and secure the abandoned property or vacant building, as required by this chapter, provided that notice is provided as follows:
Deadline to register	Within 10 days. Applies: Applies to the owner of any vacant building, counted from the building becoming vacant or deemed vacant by the City. § 8.40.030 · code text An owner of a vacant building must register his or her property with the City within 10 days of the building becoming vacant or deemed vacant by the City. Within 10 days of the change. Applies: Applies to any change to registration information. § 8.40.030 · code text Any change of the information in the registration required under this subsection shall be reported within 10 days of the change. Due January 1st each year; must be received by January 31st of the year due. Applies: Applies to later annual registrations. § 8.40.030 · code text Subsequent registrations are due January 1st of each year and must be received no later than January 31st of the year due.
Registration fee	Set by City Council resolution. An annual fee goes with the registration form. Applies: Applies to registering an abandoned or distressed property. § 8.40.030 · code text The fee for registering an abandoned or distressed property under this chapter shall be as set by resolution of the City Council. An annual registration fee shall accompany the registration form.
Registration	Yes, registration is required. Applies: Applies to the owner of any vacant building. A building showing signs of vacancy is deemed vacant and abandoned. § 8.40.030 · code text An owner of a vacant building must register his or her property with the City within 10 days of the building becoming vacant or deemed vacant by the City.

Foreclosure steps and deadlines

CA state law California law sets this statewide. Time between notice of default and sale: At least three months after the notice of default is recorded before notice of sale; the sale itself no earlier than three months and 20 days after the notice of default (Civ. Code § 2924(a)(2), (a)(4)). Notice of trustee's sale: Posted, published and recorded at least 20 days before the sale (Civ. Code § 2924f(b)). California foreclosure rules — the full state rule →

Homeowner protections

CA state law California law sets this statewide. No foreclosure while a loan modification is pending: If a complete first-lien modification application is submitted at least five business days before a sale, the servicer may not record a notice of default or sale, or hold the sale, while it is pending (Civ. Code § 2923.6(c)). California foreclosure rules — the full state rule →

The trustee's sale (auction)

CA state law California law sets this statewide. When and where sales are held: At public auction in the county where the property is, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on a business day (Civ. Code § 2924g(a)(1)). Tenant and owner-occupant priority after a sale (SB 1079): On 1–4 unit property, a trustee's sale is not final for 15 days; eligible tenant buyers and eligible bidders who give notice of intent may bid within 45 days (Civ. Code § 2924m(c)). California foreclosure rules — the full state rule →

Tenants in a foreclosed home

CA state law California law sets this statewide. Tenants in a foreclosed property: A month-to-month tenant must get at least 90 days' written notice to quit; a tenant with a fixed-term lease signed before the sale may stay to the end of the lease (Code Civ. Proc. § 1161b(a), (b)). California foreclosure rules — the full state rule →

Debt after the sale

CA state law California law sets this statewide. No deficiency after a trustee's sale: After a nonjudicial trustee's sale, the lender cannot collect any shortfall from the borrower (Code Civ. Proc. § 580d(a)). California foreclosure rules — the full state rule →

Who this affects

Homeowners behind on a loanBuyers of bank-owned homesLenders and servicers

Frequently asked questions

Must a lender or owner register a vacant or foreclosed home in Desert Hot Springs?

The owner of any vacant building must register it within 10 days of the building becoming vacant or being deemed vacant by the City. An annual fee set by City Council resolution goes with the registration form; later registrations are due January 1st and received by January 31st. An out-of-area owner, trustee or beneficiary must hire a property management company that holds a City business license. Failing to maintain and secure abandoned property or a vacant building can bring up to $1,000 per day.

General information, not legal advice.

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